KR100922982B1 - Method and system for transmitting and receiving network information of neighbor cells in network sharing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for signaling network sharing information about neighbor cells in an NS system where a RAN is shared among a plurality of CN operators. In the signaling method, it is determined whether each of neighbor cells of a current cell in which a UE is located, is shared by a CN operator other than a CN operator controlling the neighbor cell. System information without network sharing information is generated if at least one of the neighbor cells is shared by a CN operator other than a CN operator controlling the neighbor cell. System information including the network sharing information is generated if none of the neighbor cells are shared by any CN operator other than CN operators controlling the neighbor cells. The system information is then broadcast to the UE from the current cell.

Description

METHOOD FOR TRANSMITTING / RECEIVING NETWORK SHARING INFORMATION FOR NEIGHBOURING CELLS IN NETWORK SHARING SYSTEM AND SYSTEM THEREFOR}

1 is a structural diagram of a network sharing (NS) system in which different core network operators share a radio access network (RAN).

2 is a diagram illustrating inter-cell movement of a terminal in a network sharing system using typical SIB 18 in 3GPP.

3 is a signaling flow diagram for providing network information of neighbor cells according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CRNC according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a signaling flow diagram for providing network information of neighbor cells according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CRNC according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CRNC according to the third embodiment of the present invention.                 

10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

The present invention relates to a network sharing (NS) system, and more particularly, to a method and system for transmitting and receiving network information of neighbor cells in a network sharing system.

The mobile communication system basically consists of a radio access network (hereinafter referred to as RAN) and a user terminal (hereinafter referred to as UE). The radio access network basically includes a base station and is connected to another network through a core network (hereinafter referred to as CN). Radio access networks using different radio access technologies or operated by different operators may be connected to one or multiple core networks operated by the same or different core network operators. Herein, a structure in which different core network operators share a radio access network is called a network share (NS).

Specifically, a radio access network of a cellular mobile communication system that conforms to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) standard and uses Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology is a base transceiver station (hereinafter referred to as BTS). And a base station controller, and connected to the core network through a mobile switching center (hereinafter referred to as MSC). In other cases, wideband CDMA (WCDMA), which is based on the 3GPP standard and is based on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), is a radio access network for cell, node B and wireless It consists of a Network Controller (hereinafter referred to as RNC) and is connected to the core network through a Serving Packet Radio Service Support Node (hereinafter referred to as SGSN).

Core network operators are distinguished by a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier, which consists of a combination of a Mobile Country Code (MCC) and a Mobile Network Code (MCC). The terminal selects the PLMN identifier corresponding to the desired appropriate core network operator under the control of the network or by itself. In order to access the core network, the terminal informs the radio access network to which the terminal is connected, a PLMN identifier indicating the selected core network operator.

In order for a terminal to move to a neighbor cell belonging to a more suitable core network operator, it is necessary to receive network information indicative of core network operators related to the neighbor cells. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for efficiently signaling network information about core network operators related to neighbor cells to a terminal so that the terminal can select an optimal core network operator while moving between cells.

The present invention provides a method and system for transmitting and receiving network information indicating core network operators related to neighbor cells in a network sharing system.
In a network sharing system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators according to the present invention, a method of transmitting network information of neighbor cells includes: Determining whether it is shared by a core network operator different from the core network operator controlling the neighbor cell; and if any one of the neighbor cells is shared by another core network operator, the system does not include network information of the neighbor cells. Generating information, and if all of the neighbor cells are not shared by other core network operators, generating system information including network information of the neighbor cells, and generating the generated system information in the current cell. Broadcast to terminal Including the process of forest.
In addition, the method for receiving network information of neighbor cells in a network system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators according to the present invention, the system information broadcast in the current cell where the terminal is located A process of receiving, a process of determining whether the received system information includes network information of neighbor cells of the current cell, and if network information of the neighbor cells is included, the cell according to the included network information Performing a reselection and a reselection of a core network operator; and if the network information of the neighbor cells is not included, a core network operator controlling the neighbor cells and a core network sharing the neighbor cells from the neighbor cells; Do not represent operators Receiving the master system information and performing cell reselection and reselection of the core network operator according to the master system information.
In addition, the method for transmitting network information of neighbor cells in a network sharing system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators according to the present invention, for each of the neighbor cells of the current cell where the terminal is located. Generating network information of neighbor cells representing a core network operator identifier controlling the neighbor cell and a multiple identifier list indicating core network operators sharing the neighbor cell, and system information including the generated network information. Broadcasting in the current cell.
In addition, the method for receiving network information of neighbor cells in a network sharing system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators according to the present invention, system information broadcast in the current cell where the terminal is located And a network including, from the system information, for each of the neighbor cells of the current cell, a core network operator identifier controlling the neighbor cell and a multiple identifier list indicating core network operators sharing the neighbor cell. Obtaining information; and performing cell reselection and reselection of a core network operator according to network information of the neighbor cells.
In addition, a network sharing system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators according to the present invention, the core network operator to control the neighbor cell for each of the neighbor cells of the current cell and the neighbor cell; A terminal for obtaining a multiple identifier list of shared core network operators and performing cell reselection and reselection of a core network operator with reference to the core network operator and the multiple identifier list, a core network operator for the neighbor cells, and And a radio network controller (RNC) for generating network information representing the multiple identifier list and broadcasting it to the terminal through the current cell.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the operating principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that the detailed description of the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention. Terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may be changed according to intentions or customs of users or operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

The present invention described below is network information representing core network operators to which neighboring cells belong so that a terminal can select an appropriate core network operator in a network sharing (NS) system in which a radio access network is shared by different core network operators. That is, the present invention relates to a signaling method for broadcasting neighbor cell PLMN information to a terminal and an operation of the terminal. Hereinafter, a detailed signaling procedure for notifying neighbor cell PLMN information and an operation of a terminal for effectively performing PLMN selection and cell reselection by interpreting neighbor cell PLMN information will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a structural diagram of a network sharing (NS) system in which different core network operators share a radio access network (RAN). Here, although the network structure based on 3GPP, which is a standard of the third generation asynchronous mobile communication method, is shown, the present invention is not limited to 3GPP, and of course, all kinds of radio access networks are shared by a plurality of core network operators. Applicable to the technical field is obvious.

Referring to FIG. 1, a radio access network (RAN) 120 covering a cell 122, which is a predetermined service area, is a radio network controller (hereinafter referred to as RNC) or a base station controller (hereinafter referred to as BSC). And core network nodes 112, 114, and 116 configured as a mobile switching center (MSC) or serving packet radio service support node (SGSN) via an Iu interface and / or an A / Gb interface. .

The different core network operators A, B, C 102, 104, 106 share the MSC / SGSN 112-116, and the RAN 120 also belongs to the core network operator X while the core network operators A, Shared together by B, C 102, 104, 106. The shared RAN 120 may control the cell 122 using system information broadcast to the terminal 130 through a broadcast control channel (BCCH) existing in the cell 122. In addition to operator X (not shown), PLMN identifiers (ie, multiple PLMN lists) representing core network operators A, B and C 102-106 sharing the cell 122, i.e., multiple PLMN lists. ).

The terminal 130 selects an appropriate PLMN id by an access stratum (AS) layer or a non-access stratum (NAS) layer based on the system information. The AS layer is responsible for a protocol related to the Uu interface of the RNC and the terminal, and the NAS layer is responsible for a protocol related to the interface between the terminal and the core network as a higher layer of the AS layer. In this case, PLMN selection through the AS layer is called Automatic PLMN selection, and PLMN selection through the NAS layer is called Manual PLMN selection.

In the 3GPP system, information commonly required for a terminal in a cell is broadcast through a common channel. The broadcasted information is called system information. Information having the same characteristics among the system information is grouped to form a system information block (hereinafter, referred to as SIB). Cells that make up the radio access network broadcast system information blocks related to the original core network that has the authority to control the radio access network. In this case, the cells transmit information on core networks related to neighbor cells, that is, neighbor cell PLMN information, to the system information so that the terminal can select an appropriate core network operator. In the present specification, neighbor cell PLMN information will be described as being included in a system information block (SIB) 18.

Tables 1 and 2 show detailed structures of SIB 18 that provide neighbor cell PLMN information. Table 2 shows an information table corresponding to an information element (IE) "PLMN identities of neighboring cells" indicating neighboring cell PLMN information shown in <Table 1>. The terminal finds PLMN information of neighbor cells through the SIB as follows, and can reselect a cell belonging to a PLMN to which the terminal can receive services.

In Table 1, SIB 18 includes an "idle mode PLMN identities" IE for an idle mode terminal and a "Connected mode PLMN identities" IE for a connected mode terminal. The idle mode represents a state in which no signaling connection between the terminal and the RNC is established, and the connected mode represents a state in which a signaling connection between the terminal and the RNC is established. OP indicates that the IE is an optional value, which means that it may or may not be included as required by the configuration of the system. MD indicates that the IE is mandatory and may have a default value.

The "PLMN identities of neighboring cells" IE, which is neighbor cell PLMN information included in SIB 18, is represented by an information table of Table 2. In Table 2, 'maxCellMeas' represents the maximum number of cells to be measured and may have a maximum value of 32. That is, the neighbor cell PLMN information includes a PLMNs of intra-frequency cells list corresponding to up to 32 cells of the same frequency band and a PLMNs of inter-frequency corresponding to up to 32 cells of different frequency bands. cells list), and PLMNs of inter-RAT cells list corresponding to up to 32 cells using different Radio Access Technology (RAT). In each list, the necessity ("NEED") of the "PLMN identity" IE is marked as MD, indicating that the "PLMN identity" IE is mandatory and the default value has the previous PLMN id of the list. The first PLMN id of each list is the PLMN id selected by the terminal. If the PLMN id selected by the terminal indicates a network other than the network based on the Mobile Application Protocol (GSM-MAP), the corresponding identifier is not the default value. The value must be specified.

SIB 18 shown in Tables 1 and 2 includes only the PLMN id indicating the PLMN controlling the RAN of each neighboring cell.

Figure 2 illustrates the inter-cell movement of the terminal in a network sharing system using SIB 18 typical in 3GPP. Here, the terminal 201 is located in the cell A, and the cell A is adjacent to the cell B, the cell C and the cell D. Here, cell A, cell B and cell C are controlled by PLMN A, PLMN B and PLMN B, respectively. The cell A is shared not only by the PLMN A but also by the PLMN B and the PLMN C. The PLMN information includes a PLMN id and a multiple PLMN list transmitted through a MIB (Master Information Block) in the cell A. That is, the PLMN id is set to PLMN A in the MIB of cell A, and the multiple PLMN list includes the PLMN B id and the PLMN C id.

The terminal 201 may receive a desired service only through the PLMN A and the PLMN D, and the PLMN D has a higher priority than the PLMN A. However, terminal 201 selects PLMN A in cell A. This is because PLMN D does not control or share cell A, and the terminal 201 must select one of PLMN A, PLMN B, and PLMN C in cell A. Looking at neighboring cells of cell A, cell B is controlled by PLMN B and shared by PLMN C and PLMN D, cell C is controlled by PLMN B and shared by PLMN C and PLMN D, and cell D is PLMN Controlled by A and shared by PLMN B and PLMN C. Shared, cell D is controlled by PLMN A and shared by PLMN B and PLMN C.

Here, SIB 18 includes only information of the PLMN that controls the neighbor cell, that is, the PLMN id. Then, in SIB 18 transmitted from cell A, PLMN id of cell B is set to PLMN B, PLMN id of cell C is PLMC B, and PLMN id of cell D is set to PLMN A, respectively.

In step 2, SIB 18 includes only PLMN information, that is, PLMN id, which controls the neighbor cell. Then, in SIB 18 transmitted from cell A, PLMN id of cell B is set to PLMN B, PLMN id of cell C is PLMC B, and PLMN id of cell D is set to PLMN A, respectively.

The terminal 201 is mistaken by the SIB 18 received by the cell A that the cell C belongs only to the PLMN B. In this case, since the terminal 201 cannot receive the general service except the emergency service through the PLMN B, the terminal 201 is not suitable for reselecting the cell C. Therefore, the terminal 201 does not reselect cell C of a better radio state, and stays in cell A belonging to PLMN A within the radio state range satisfying the criteria of cell selection, or cell C The problem arises in that cell D in poor radio condition is reselected.

That is, since the cell C is shared by the PLMN D, the terminal 201 shares the cell C even though the terminal may receive the desired service better through the PLMN D if the terminal reselects the cell C. Since the PLMNs are unknown, the best suitable cell cannot be selected. As a result, intra-cell / cell-to-cell interference due to quality of service and unoptimized power use of downlink / uplink transmission of the terminal are caused.

As such, if the neighbor cell PLMN information includes only the PLMN ids that control the neighbor cells, the terminal cannot obtain an opportunity to select a higher priority PLMN. Accordingly, the present invention proposes the following embodiments to enable a terminal to select a PLMN having a higher priority while moving between cells in a network sharing system.

<< first embodiment >>                     

The problem shown in FIG. 2 occurs because only the PLMN id to which the RAN controlling the neighbor cell belongs is delivered to the terminal. Therefore, in the first embodiment, if there is at least one cell shared by another PLMN among adjacent cells that should signal PLMN information through SIB 18, SIB 18 itself is not transmitted.

If the SIB 18 broadcasted in the current cell does not exist, the terminal does not know PLMN information of neighbor cells in advance and receives MIBs of neighbor cells to recognize PLMN information of neighbor cells and then reselects a cell. That is, there is a delay that must receive the MIBs of all neighbor cells for cell reselection, but does not cause the problem as shown in FIG.

3 shows a signaling flow diagram for providing network information for neighbor cells according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Here, reference numeral 301 denotes a cell, reference numeral 302 denotes a Node B controlling the cell 301, and reference numeral 303 denotes a Controlling RNC (CRNC) controlling the node B 302.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step 311, the CRNC 303 determines whether at least one of neighboring cells of the cell 301 is included in a network sharing system and shared by another PLMN by O & M. In this case, the other PLMN means a PLMN that shares the neighbor cell, not a PLMN to which the neighbor cell belongs. If at least one cell among the neighboring cells of the cell 301 is shared by another PLMN, in step 321, the CRNC 303 requests a system information update for the Node B 302 in charge of the cell 301. In the UPDATE REQUEST) message, system information not including SIB 18 indicating neighbor cell PLMN information is transmitted. The system information update request message is a message for informing the Node B 302 of system information that should be broadcast on the BCCH in the cell 301. In step 322, the Node B 302 transmits a SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE RESPONSE message to the CRNC 303 indicating that the system information update request message has been successfully received, and includes the SIB 18 in step 331. System information that is not included is broadcast in the broadcast system information message to the cell 301 through BCCH.

When the terminal located in the cell 301 receives the system information of the broadcast system information message and recognizes that SIB 18 is not included, the terminal receives the MIB of all neighboring cells in cell reselection and thus, PLMN information of the neighboring cells. PLMN reselection and cell reselection are performed after the acquisition.

4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the CRNC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 401, the CRNC initializes the configuration of SIB 18 to be included in a system information update request message indicating system information to be broadcast in a cell under control (hereinafter referred to as a current cell). In step 402, it is checked whether any one of the neighbor cells of the current cell is shared by another PLMN. The PLMN sharing the neighbor cells can be known by O & M. If the neighbor cells are not all shared by other PLMNs in step 402, the CRNC sets neighbor cell PLMN information for all neighbor cells in SIB 18 in step 403. The neighbor cell PLMN information is set to include only the PLMN id to which the RNC controlling each of the neighbor cells belongs. If one of the neighbor cells is shared by another PLMN, the CRNC does not include SIB 18 in the system information update request message in step 411. In step 412, the system information update request message is transmitted to the current cell, and the current cell broadcasts system information blocks included in the system information update request message in the current cell.

5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in step 501, a terminal receives system information through a BCCH in a current cell. In step 502, the terminal determines whether the received system information includes SIB 18 representing neighbor cell PLMN information. If the SIB 18 is included in step 511, the UE performs PLMN selection and cell reselection using the PLMN id of each of the SIB 18 neighbor cells. At this time, since the terminal obtains neighbor cell PLMN information through the SIB 18, it is not necessary to receive all the MIBs of neighbor cells. That is, the terminal selects the neighbor cell belonging to the PLMN having the highest priority and providing the desired service based on the neighbor cell PLMN information of the SIB 18.

If the received system information does not include SIB 18, in step 512, the terminal receives the MIBs of all accessible neighboring cells, finds the PLMN id and the multiple PLMN list of the neighboring cells from the MIBs, and then PLMN reselection and cell reselection are performed based on the PLMN id of the neighbor cells and the multiple PLMN list.

<< 2nd Example >>

The second embodiment is to include information of PLMNs sharing neighbor cells in neighbor cell PLMN information of SIB 18. The terminal can know all of the PLMNs sharing a neighbor cell through SIB 18. To advertise PLMNs sharing neighbor cells in a network sharing system, include multiple PLMN lists (ie, shared PLMN lists) of each neighbor cell in SIB 18 or use a new SIB that includes multiple PLMN lists of each neighbor cell. do.

6 shows a signaling flow diagram for providing network information for neighbor cells according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, an operation in the case of including the PLMN list of PLMNs sharing each neighbor cell in the SIB will be described. Reference numerals 601, 602, and 603 denote cells, a node B controlling the cell, and a CRNC controlling the node B, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 611, the CRNC includes multiple PLMN lists representing PLMNs sharing neighbor cells of the cell 601 in SIB 18 for the cell 601, and includes system information including the SIB 18. A SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE REQUEST message is sent to the Node B 602. The SIB 18 includes PLMN ids and multiple PLMN lists corresponding to each of the neighbor cells, and each PLMN list includes PLMN ids of all PLMNs sharing the neighbor cell.

In step 612, the Node B 602 transmits a SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE RESPONSE message corresponding to the system information update request message to the CRNC 603. In step 621, the Node B 602 broadcasts the system information included in the system information update request message, in particular, the SIB 18 to the cell 601. In this case, the SIB 18 includes PLMN ids and multiple PLMN lists as PLMN information about neighbor cells. According to the SIB 18, the terminal may know not only the PLMN to which the RNC controlling the neighbor cell belongs but also the PLMNs sharing the neighbor cell. The terminal performs accurate PLMN reselection and cell reselection based on the PLMN information.

Table 3 below shows an example of PLMN information for neighbor cells according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The terminal may know PLMNs sharing neighbor cells through 'PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List' as shown in Table 3 below.

7 shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of the CRNC according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in step 701, the CRNC initializes the setting of SIB 18 to be included in a system information update request message indicating system information to be broadcast in a cell under control (hereinafter referred to as a current cell). In step 702, the CRNC sets the PLMN to which the RAN controlling one neighboring cell of the current cell belongs to the 'PLMN identity' of the neighboring cell of the SIB 18. In step 703, the CRNC checks whether the neighbor cell is shared by another PLMN. If the neighbor cell is shared by another PLMN, in step 711, the CRNC includes the PLMN id of the PLMN sharing the neighbor cell in the 'Multiple PLMN List' for the neighbor cell of the SIB 18. If the neighbor cell is shared by a plurality of PLMNs, a plurality of PLMN ids are set in the 'Multiple PLMN List'.

In step 712, the CRC checks whether neighbor cell PLMN information, that is, 'PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List', are set for all neighbor cells. If all neighbor cell PLMN information for all neighbor cells is configured, the CRNC completes setting of SIB 18 representing the neighbor cell PLMN information in step 721. The SIB 18 is broadcast in the current cell along with other system information blocks.

8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, in step 801, the terminal receives system information including SIB 18 indicating neighbor cell PLMN information through BCCH in the current cell. In step 802, the terminal determines whether the 'Multiple PLMN List' is included in the SIB 18. If the 'Multiple PLMN List' of a neighbor cell is included, the terminal considers that the neighbor cell is shared by the PLMNs indicated by the 'Multiple PLMN List' in step 803. On the other hand, if the 'Multiple PLMN List' of the neighbor cell is not included in the SIB 18, in step 811, the terminal considers that the neighbor cell is not shared by another PLMN.

In step 804, the UE recognizes PLMN ids set in 'PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List' for each neighbor cell received through SIB 18 as selectable PLMNs per neighbor cell, and multiples PLMN ids of all cells. PLMN selection and cell reselection are performed based on the PLMN list. In more detail, the terminal selects a PLMN having the highest priority among all the PLMN ids included in the PLMN list as well as the PLMN ids. If the neighbor cell corresponding to the selected PLMN does not have the highest received signal strength, the terminal selects an appropriate PLMN and cell according to a predetermined selection criterion.

<< third embodiment >>

The third embodiment is a method for improving the aforementioned second embodiment to reduce signaling overhead. That is, if the PLMN configuration of one neighbor cell is the same as the current cell, the PLMN information of the neighbor cell is empty in SIB 18. For example, in FIG. 2, cell A and cell D have the same PLMN configuration. Here, the PLMN configuration refers to a PLMN (PLMN id) for controlling the cell and PLMNs (multiple PLMN lists) sharing the cell. That is, 'PLMN identity' of cell A and 'PLMN identity' of cell D are the same as PLMN A, and PLMNs sharing cell A and cell D are also the same as PLMN B and PLMN C. In this case, the neighbor cell PLMN information transmitted from the cell A does not include the PLMN information (PLMN id and multiple PLMN list) of the cell D. However, for a neighbor cell having a PLMN configuration different from that of the current cell, the PLMN id and the multiple PLMN list of the neighbor cell are explicitly signaled.

The method of determining that the PLMN configuration of the neighbor cells is the same as the current cell is as follows. As described above, when the 'PLMN identity' to which the RAN controlling the neighboring cell belongs and the 'Multiple PLMN List' sharing the neighboring cell are both the same as those of the current cell, the neighboring cell is the current cell. It is determined that the PLMN configuration is the same. Alternatively, even though the 'PLMN identity' and the 'Multiple PLMN List' do not coincide with each other, it is determined that the PLMN configuration is the same when the union of the two information elements is the same for the neighbor cell and the current cell. If the PLMN information of one neighbor cell is empty in SIB 18, the terminal recognizes that the neighbor cell has the same PLMN configuration as the current cell.

In the following example, when the 'PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List' of the adjacent cell exactly match the 'PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List' of the current cell, respectively, the PLMN configuration of the neighboring cell is the same as the current cell. The case where it judges that it is will be explained.

Table 4 below shows neighbor cell PLMN information of SIB 18 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.                     

When the CRNC configures neighbor cell PLMN information of SIB 18, the neighboring cell that is identical to the PLMN configuration of the current cell is positioned at the first position of the neighbor cell list constituting the neighbor cell PLMN information, and the 'PLMN identity' of the neighbor cell is set. Set to default value. If there are additional neighboring cells having the same PLMN configuration as the current cell among other neighboring cells, the neighboring cells with the same current cell and PLMN configuration are placed in the order of the second, third, and fourth digits. . At this time, 'PLMN identity' of neighboring cells having the same PLMN configuration as the current cell is set to a default value, and is substantially blank. For multiple neighboring cells having the same PLMN configuration as the current cell, 'Multiple PLMN List' is assigned to SIB 18. not included. Here, the neighboring cell located at the first position of the neighboring cell list has neighboring cell index 1, and subsequent neighboring cells have neighboring cell indexes of 2, 3, 4, ... in order.

Among the neighboring cells, neighboring cells of which the current cell and the PLMN configuration are different are placed next to neighboring cells having the same current cell and PLMN configuration. For neighbor cells having a different PLMN configuration than the current cell, 'PLMN identity' is explicitly set. If another PLMN shares a neighbor cell having a different PLMN configuration than the current cell, PLMN ids sharing the neighbor cell are explicitly set in a 'Multiple PLMN List' of the neighbor cell.

When SIB 18 is configured and transmitted as described above, the order of neighboring cells included in another system information block for transmitting information about neighbor cells, for example, SIB 11/12, is adjusted in the same manner as in SIB 18. SIB 11/12 includes information for measuring a reception signal of a neighbor cell, since the neighbor cell list generated by the terminal should be mapped to SIB 11/12 as well as SIB 18.

Upon receiving the neighbor cell PLMN information of SIB 18 and confirming that the PLMN information of the first neighbor cell is empty, that is, set to a default value, the terminal considers that the PLMN configuration of the neighbor cell is the same as the current cell. Here, the same PLMN configuration means that the 'PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List' of the neighbor cells are the same as those of the current cell. If the 'PLMN identity' of the next neighbor cells is not empty and is explicitly set, the next neighbor cells are no longer considered to be identical to the PLMN configuration of the current cell. Accordingly, the terminal reads the 'PLMN identity' and the 'Multiple PLMN List' of the next neighbor cells. The 'Multiple PLMN List' includes PLMN ids that share a corresponding neighbor cell. In other words, the empty 'PLMN identity' of the next non-first neighbor cell (s) of SIB 18 is considered to be the same as the PLMN information of the immediately preceding cell of the neighbor cell list.

In Table 4, the neighbor cell PLMN information may not include a 'multiple PLMN list' in order to minimize the SIB 18 of the typical structure. In this case, multiple PLMN lists of neighbor cells are separately transmitted to the terminal.

Table 5 below shows neighbors for partially transmitting multiple PLMN lists of neighbor cells to the terminal while using the neighbor cell information of typical SIB 18 without including 'Multiple PLMN List' indicating PLMN ids sharing neighbor cells. Represents cell PLMN information. Here, the meaning of the empty 'PLMN identity' of the first adjacent cell is the same as in Table 4.

Only neighboring cells that have the same cell and 'PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List' as the current cell and the cell are placed from the top of the neighboring cell list, and CRNC uses SIB 18 of this structure so that the first neighboring cell is Inform the terminal that the PLMN configuration is the same. From the second digit to the previous position where the 'PLMN identity' is explicitly set, all of the current cell and neighboring cells having the same PLMN configuration are represented. Table 5 shows a neighbor that supports a network sharing system and has the same PLMN configuration ('PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List') as the current cell while minimizing the impact on the typical SIB 18 currently used in 3GPP. Notifies the terminal of PLMN information of the cells.

9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a CRNC according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, in step 901, the CRNC initializes the setting of SIB 18 to be included in a system information update request message indicating system information to be broadcast in a cell under control (hereinafter referred to as a current cell). In step 902, the CRNC checks whether there is any first neighbor cell having the same PLMN configuration as the current cell among the neighbor cell lists to be included in the SIB 18. The first neighboring cell having the same PLMN configuration as the current cell indicates a neighboring cell having a 'PLMN identity' and a 'Multiple PLMN List' same as the current cell. If there is a first neighboring cell having the same PLMN configuration as the current cell, in step 903, the first neighboring cell is placed in the first position of the neighboring cell list, and in SIB 18, the 'PLMN identity' of the first neighboring cell is found. By setting it to the default value, it is left substantially blank.

On the other hand, if there is no first neighboring cell having the same PLMN configuration as the current cell, in step 904 the CRNC places any second neighboring cell in the first position of the neighboring cell list. In step 905, a 'PLMN identity' of the second neighbor cell is set. The 'PLMN identity' indicates a PLMN to which the RAN controlling the second neighbor cell originally belongs. In step 906, the CRNC checks whether the second neighbor cell belongs to a network sharing system, that is, whether the second neighbor cell is shared by a PLMN other than the originally belonging PLMN. If the second neighbor cell belongs to a network sharing system, the process proceeds to step 907 where the CRNC uses 'Multiple PLMN List' of the second neighbor cell as PLMN ids indicating PLMNs sharing the second neighbor cell. Set it.

On the other hand, if the corresponding neighbor cell is not included in the network sharing system in step 903 or step 906 or the process 907 is executed, the CRNC in step 911 may correspond to the first or second neighboring cell in the previous position among the remaining neighboring cells. It is checked whether there is a third neighbor cell having the same PLMN configuration. If it exists, the process proceeds to step 912 where the process third neighboring cell is placed next to the neighbor cell list, the IE 'PLMN identity' of the third neighboring cell is left blank, and the process returns to process 911.

On the other hand, if there is no third neighbor cell having the same PLMN configuration as the first or second neighboring cell at the previous seat in step 911, the CRNC checks whether PLMN information is set for all neighbor cells in step 913. If the PLMN information of all neighbor cells is not set in step 913, the CRNC selects one of the remaining neighbor cells in the next cell of the neighbor cell list in step 914, and then proceeds to step 905. On the other hand, if the configuration of the PLMN information for all neighbor cells is completed in step 913, the process proceeds to step 915 to complete the configuration of SIB 18.

The configured SIB 18 is broadcast in the current cell along with other system information blocks.

10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, in step 1001, a UE receives system information including SIB 18 indicating neighbor cell PLMN information through a BCCH in a current cell. In step 1002, the terminal acquires the neighbor cell list included in the SIB 18, and checks whether the neighbor cell to be checked is located at the first position of the neighbor cell list. If it is located first in the neighbor cell list, in step 1003, the terminal checks whether the 'PLMN identity' of the neighbor cell located in the first cell is displayed as a valid value. Valid values here are non-default values. That is, the default value is essentially empty. If, in step 1003, 'PLMN identity' is indicated as a default value, in step 1004, the terminal considers that the PLMN configuration of the first neighboring cell located in the first cell is the same as the current cell. Here, the same PLMN configuration means that 'PLMN identity' and 'Multiple PLMN List' of the neighbor cell and the current cell are the same.

If the 'PLMN identity' of the first neighboring cell is displayed in step 1003, the terminal reads the 'PLMN identity' of the neighboring cell in step 1011, and if the 'Multiple PLMN List' of the neighboring cell is included in step 1012. Check it. If the 'Multiple PLMN List' of the neighbor cell is included in step 1012, the UE considers that PLMNs of the 'Multiple PLMN List' share the neighbor cell in step 1013. If the SIB 18 does not include the 'Multiple PLMN List' of the neighbor cell in step 1012, the UE considers that the neighbor cell is not shared by another PLMN in step 1014.

On the other hand, if the neighbor cell to be checked in step 1002 is not the first of the neighbor cell list, in step 1021, the terminal checks whether the 'PLMN identity' of the neighbor cell is displayed as a valid value in the neighbor cell list. If the 'PLMN identity' is not displayed in the 1021, the terminal proceeds to step 1022 to regard the PLMN configuration of the neighbor cell to the same as the neighbor cell in the previous position. If the 'PLMN identity' is displayed in step 1021, the terminal proceeds to step 1011.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by those equivalent to the scope of the claims.

In the present invention operating as described in detail above, the effects obtained by the representative ones of the disclosed inventions will be briefly described as follows.

According to the present invention, in the network sharing system, not only the PLMN to which the neighboring cell belongs but also the PLMNs sharing the neighboring cell to each neighboring cell of the current cell where the terminal is located, through the system information of the current cell, thereby allowing the terminal to be notified. There is an effect of selecting a suitable PLMN and cell to receive a good quality communication service.

Claims (24)

A method of transmitting network information of adjacent cells in a network sharing system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators, the method comprising: Determining whether each of the neighbor cells of the current cell where the terminal is located is shared by a core network operator different from the core network operator controlling the neighbor cell; If any one of the neighbor cells is shared by another core network operator, generating system information not including network information of the neighbor cells; If all of the neighbor cells are not shared by another core network operator, generating system information including network information of the neighbor cells; And transmitting the generated system information from the current cell to the terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the network information, And a core network operator identifier for controlling the neighbor cell for each of the neighbor cells. The method of claim 2, wherein the core network operator identifier, Transmission method characterized in that the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) identifier. A method of receiving network information of adjacent cells in a network system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators, the method comprising: Receiving system information broadcast in the current cell where the terminal is located; Determining whether the received system information includes network information of neighbor cells of the current cell; If network information of the neighbor cells is included, performing cell reselection and reselection of a core network operator according to the included network information; If the network information of the neighbor cells is not included, master system information indicating a core network operator controlling the neighbor cells and core network operators sharing the neighbor cells is received from the neighbor cells. And performing cell reselection and reselection of the core network operator. The method of claim 4, wherein the network information, And an identifier of a core network operator controlling the neighbor cell for each of the neighbor cells. The method of claim 5, wherein the core network operator identifier, Receiving method characterized in that the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) identifier. A method of transmitting network information of adjacent cells in a network sharing system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators, the method comprising: Generating network information of neighbor cells indicating a core network operator identifier controlling the neighbor cell and multiple identifier lists indicating core network operators sharing the neighbor cell, for each neighbor cell of the current cell where the terminal is located; , And transmitting the system information including the generated network information in the current cell. The method of claim 7, wherein the core network operator identifier, Transmission method characterized in that the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) identifier. The method of claim 7, wherein the generating of the network information of the neighbor cells comprises: Comparing the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of each neighbor cell among the neighbor cells with the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the current cell; If the neighbor cell has a core network operator identifier and a multiple identifier list that is not the same as the current cell, including the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell in the network information of the neighbor cells; When the neighbor cell has the same core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list as the current cell, the default value is set without including the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell in the network information of the neighbor cells. And a transmission method. The method of claim 9, wherein the generating of network information of the neighbor cells comprises: Comparing a core network operator identifier and a multiple identifier list of a first neighbor cell among the neighbor cells with a core network operator identifier and a multiple identifier list of a second neighbor cell; When the first neighbor cell has a core network operator identifier and a multiple identifier list that are not the same as the second neighbor cell, the network information of the neighbor cells includes a core network operator identifier and a multiple identifier list of the first neighbor cell. Letting the process When the first neighbor cell has the same core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list as the second neighbor cell, the network information of the neighbor cells is not included in the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the first neighbor cell. And setting a default value. A method of receiving network information of adjacent cells in a network sharing system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators, the method comprising: Receiving system information broadcast in the current cell where the terminal is located; Obtaining, from the system information, network information including, for each neighboring cell of the current cell, a core network operator identifier controlling the neighboring cell and a multiple identifier list indicating core network operators sharing the neighboring cell; , And performing cell reselection and reselection of a core network operator according to the network information of the neighbor cells. The method of claim 11, wherein the core network operator identifier, Receiving method characterized in that the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) identifier. The method of claim 11, wherein the acquiring Determining whether the network information of the neighbor cells includes a core network operator identifier and a multiple identifier list of one neighbor cell among the neighbor cells; Obtaining a core network operator identifier and a multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell if the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell are included; If the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell are not included, determining that the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell are the same as the previous neighbor cell included in the network information. A reception method characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 13, wherein the acquiring If the neighbor cell's core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list are not included and the neighbor cell is located in the first position of the network information, the neighbor network's core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list is the same as the current cell. Receiving method further comprises the step of determining. A network sharing system having a radio access network shared by a plurality of core network (CN) operators, For each of the neighbor cells of the current cell, obtain a multiple identifier list of core network operators controlling the neighbor cell and core network operators sharing the neighbor cell, and reselect a cell with reference to the core network operator and the multiple identifier list. And a terminal for reselecting the core network operator; And a radio network controller (RNC) for generating network information indicative of a core network operator and a multi-identifier list for the neighbor cells and broadcasting it to the terminal through the current cell. The method of claim 15, wherein the core network operator identifier, Network sharing system, characterized in that the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) identifier. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless network controller, Determine whether each of the neighbor cells of the current cell is shared by a core network operator different from the core network operator controlling the neighbor cell, If any one of the neighbor cells is shared by another core network operator, generate system information that does not include network information of the neighbor cells, If all of the neighbor cells are not shared by another core network operator, generate system information including network information of the neighbor cells, And broadcast the generated system information from the current cell to the terminal. The method of claim 17, wherein the terminal, Receiving system information broadcast in the current cell, Determine whether the received system information includes network information about neighbor cells of the current cell; If network information of the neighbor cells is included, cell reselection and core network operator reselection are performed according to the included network information, If the network information of the neighbor cells is not included, master system information indicating a core network operator controlling the neighbor cells and core network operators sharing the neighbor cells is received from the neighbor cells. Network reselection and core network operator reselection. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless network controller, For each of the neighbor cells of the current cell, generate network information of neighbor cells representing a core network operator identifier controlling the neighbor cell and a multiple identifier list indicating core network operators sharing the neighbor cell, And system information including the generated network information is broadcast in the current cell. The method of claim 19, wherein the wireless network controller, Default values for the neighbor cells having the same core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list as the current cell, without including the core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell in the network information of the neighbor cells; Network sharing system, characterized in that for setting. The method of claim 20, wherein the wireless network controller, For the first neighboring cell having the same core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list as the second neighboring cell among the neighboring cells, the network information of the neighboring cells includes the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the first neighboring cell. Network setting system, characterized in that it comprises the step of setting a default value. The terminal of claim 19, wherein the terminal comprises: Receiving system information broadcast in the current cell, From the system information, for each of the neighbor cells of the current cell, network information including a core network operator identifier controlling the neighbor cell and a multi-identifier list indicating core network operators sharing the neighbor cell, And a cell reselection and a core network operator reselection according to the network information of the neighbor cells. The method of claim 22, wherein the terminal, Determining whether the network information of the neighbor cells includes a core network operator identifier and a multiple identifier list of one neighbor cell among the neighbor cells, If the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell are included, obtain the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell, If the core network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell are not included, the network network operator identifier and the multiple identifier list of the neighbor cell are determined to be the same as the previous neighbor cell included in the network information. Shared system. The terminal of claim 23, wherein the terminal comprises: If the neighbor cell's core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list are not included and the neighbor cell is located in the first position of the network information, the neighbor network's core network operator identifier and multiple identifier list is the same as the current cell. Network sharing system, characterized in that it is determined that.

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